Rhode Island Resident Alvaro Etcheverry Killed in Paragliding Accident

Authorities have identified the man killed in a paragliding accident in Newburyport, Massachusetts over the weekend.

Rhode Island Paraglider Dies after Plummeting into Frigid River

According to WPRI, 49-year-old Alvaro Etcheverry of North Smithfield, Rhode Island was operating a self-powered parachute when he crashed into the Merrimack River.

Police reports indicate that two of Etcheverry’s friends attempted to save him, but their attempts were hindered by the frigid water.

Coast Guards were able to pull Etcheverry from the freezing water 20 to 30 minutes after the accident, but the man was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after.

Autorities are investigating whether the crash was caused by a faulty mechanism in Etcheverry’s equpment.